Al Burton(1928-2019)

The Emmy-winning creator and Executive Producer of "Win Ben Stein's Money", Al Burton has seen his show win seven Emmys for Comedy Central. Early in his career as a producer, writer and director, Burton amassed dozens of credits for youthful entertainment, including Four Star's "Hollywood A Go Go," ABC-TV'S Annual PepsiCo Specials "Romp" and "Go!" as well as the ABC sunmmer series "Malibu U." As Norman Lear's Director of Development, Burton co-developed the breakthrough series "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and was Creative Supervisor throughout its 325 episodes. Also with Lear, Burton developed, and was Creative Supervisor of "Fernwood 2Night" and "America 2Night." Additionally, he was developer and Creative Supervisor of "Facts of Life," "One Day At A Time," "Diff'rent Strokes," "The Jeffersons," "Silver Spoons," and "Square Pegs." At Universal Television, he developed and was Executive Producer for the 6 1/2 years of "Charles In Charge," the nation's most successful first-run syndicated comedy. Burton is Developer-Executive Producer of "The New Lassie" first-run series. An accomplished composer and lyricist, he co-wrote and composed themes for "Diffrent Strokes," "Facts of Life," "Together We Stand," "Nothing Is Easy," "Charles In Charge," "The New Lassie," and "Turn Ben Stein On." Al Burton is one of America's most honored producers of youthful television: He shared Emmy honors for "All In The Family". He was honored by the National Conference for Christians and Jews ("Diff'rent Strokes"). California Governor's Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped ("Facts Of Life" and "Charles in Charge"). The Entertainment Industries Council honored him with special commendations for his "The New Lassie" and "Charles In Charge," and he is the recipient of the Jackie Coogan Award given by Youth In Film for Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Entertainment. Burton is winner of The Genesis Award for his portrayal of animal issues in "The New Lassie." As Executive Producer and developer, Al Burton has brought to television (and literally started the careers of) scores of young stars. Michael J. Fox (whom Burton cast in the Norman Lear-Alex Haley series "Palmerstown"), Valerie Bertinelli (whom Burton cast in "One Day At A Time") plus Molly Ringwald ("The Facts Of Life") and Christina Applegate ("Charles In Charge"), Sarah Jessica Parker ("Square Pegs"), Meg Ryan ("Charles In Charge"), Gary Coleman ("Diffrent Strokes"), Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("Charles In Charge"), Tiffini-Amber Thiessen ("Charles In Charge"), Jami Gertz ("Square Pegs"), Nicole Eggert ("Charles In Charge" & "Baywatch"), Kathy Ireland ("Charles In Charge"), Erika Eleniak ("Charles In Charge" & "Baywatch"), Pamela Lee ("Charles In Charge" & "Baywatch"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("The New Lassie") and a long list of others! Burton is a member of the Directors Guild, Writers Guild, AFTRA, NATAS and Academy of Magical Arts. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Pilgrim Group of Mutual Funds, is a member of the Chair's Council of the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors and serves on the advisory board of the Institute for Mental Health Initiatives as well as the Advisory Board of the Samantha Smith Center.